National Geographic The Photo Ark: Animals of Earth

by Joel Sartore

Overview

The lush and unique photography in this book represents National Geographic's Photo Ark, a major initiative and lifelong project by photographer Joel Sartore to make portraits of the world's animals—especially those that are endangered. His powerful message, conveyed with humor, compassion, and art: to know these animals is to save them.

Sartore is circling the globe, visiting zoos and wildlife rescue centers to create studio portraits of 12,000 species, with an emphasis on those facing extinction. With a goal of photographing every animal in captivity in the world, he has photographed more than 6,000 already and now, thanks to a multi-year partnership with National Geographic, he may reach his goal. This book showcases his animal portraits: from tiny to mammoth, from the Florida grasshopper sparrow to the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Paired with the eloquent prose of veteran wildlife writer Douglas Chadwick, and an inspiring foreword from Harrison Ford, this book presents a thought-provoking argument for saving all the species of our planet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426224881
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/14/2026
Series:	The Photo Ark
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	9.88(w) x 9.88(h) x (d)

About the Author

JOEL SARTORE is a renowned photographer and a 30-year contributor to National Geographic magazine whose life mission is to create portraits of all animal species in human care; he has so far documented more than 16,000 species. His books include Photo Ark Vanishing, Photo Ark Wonders, Birds of the Photo Ark, and Photo Ark Insects. Sartore and his work have appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, the NBC Nightly News, NPR's Weekend Edition, as well as in a three-part PBS Nova documentary. He lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.

HARRISON FORD is an American actor and film producer, best known for his starring roles as Han Solo in the original Star Wars and Indiana Jones. He is an enthusiastic advocate for wildlife protection.

DOUGLAS CHADWICK has reported on wildlife around the world. He has written dozens of articles for National Geographic magazine and 13 books about wildlife and conservation.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Joel's work in bringing the beauty and personalities of endangered species to life is nothing short of heroic. His photos are a gift to future generations and illuminate the importance of protecting wildlife today and tomorrow. I’m still hoping he’ll photograph me—unfortunately, at my age, I’ll have to be clothed." —Chevy Chase

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION

"This is one of the most scientifically important—and artistically brilliant—books ever. Joel Sartore is an ambassador extraordinaire for the beleaguered animals of our planet and should receive a Noble Prize. No one can look at these sensitive portraits of the incredible animal beings and not be amazed and inspired to do all in our power to preserve them for our children and theirs." — Jane Goodall

"We owe it to these animals, as they struggle for survival on a human-dominated planet, to look them in the eye. Joel Sartore's awestruck and awe-inspiring photos make that an experience of deep heart and beauty." — David Quammen

"Joel Sartore's stunning images are powerful enough to make us all ask and answer the question: 'What will I do?'" —Carl Safina

Editorial Reviews

“This is one of the most scientifically important—and artistically brilliant—books ever.  I don’t know of any other book that has such power. You cannot see these sensitive portraits of the diversity of animals living on Planet Earth and not be entranced. And moved. And inspired to do all you can to ensure they stay with us. Joel Sartore is an ambassador extraordinaire for the beleaguered animals of our planet and should receive a Nobel Prize. No one can look at these sensitive portraits of the incredible animal beings and not be amazed and inspired to do all in our power to preserve them—all of them, all the complex tapestry of life—for our children and theirs. I can think of no other book with such a compelling message: We must each do all that we can to preserve these incredible beings—all of them.  And we must act now, or it will be too late for most of them.”—Jane Goodall
 
“Joel Sartore’s The Photo Ark is a magnificent, awe-inspiring, encyclopedic, and forward-looking book. It surely will be game-changer for getting people to connect or to reconnect with other animals and the various landscapes that serve as their homes—to ‘rewild’ their heart—and to become deeply re-enchanted with the remarkable, fascinating, and diverse beings with whom we share our wondrous planet. I shall share it widely with a broad audience, including youngsters, who are the ambassadors for our and other animals’ future. I hope this spectacular work of art enjoys a global audience, and I honestly don't see how it won’t. It is that good.”—Marc Bekoff
 
“We owe it to these animals, as they struggle for survival on a human-dominated planet, to look them in the eye. Joel Sartore’s awestruck and awe-inspiring photos make that an experience of deep heart and beauty.”—David Quammen, author of Spillover and The Heartbeat of the Wild

“We love them. We are exterminating them. We have no idea most of them even exist. Every painting of Noah’s Ark shows those familiar few animals we all agree seem worthy of salvation. Elephants, giraffes...but every one of them—and most others on Earth—are in fact in mortal danger now. Their flood is us. Yet when expecting new human life we paint animals on our nursery walls. We don’t paint computers or work cubicles. We paint animals, our subconscious, hope-filled wish to greet our unborn child by saying, ‘Welcome into this life-filled world. We are not alone. We have wondrous company.’ It’s time we met those splendid souls with whom we are failing to share our planet, whom we are annihilating. Joel Sartore’s stunning images are powerful enough to make us all ask and answer the question: ‘What will I do?’”  — Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words; What Animals Think and Feel

From the Publisher